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Learn to Play Chess Openings Like a Master

Get a great chess opening position every time no matter what!

4.2
(27 ratings)

Instead of using a simple lifetime average, Udemy calculates a course's star rating by considering a number of different factors such as the number of ratings, the age of ratings, and the likelihood of fraudulent ratings.

Ever wished you were a strong chess player? In this course we will explore chess in depth covering topics that will elevate your game from average to very strong.

In my previous course, we covered some basic ideas such as common openings, simple tactics, and basic strategy. In "Learn to Play Chess Like a Master" we will build on those ideas using both traditional still chess positions as well as new cutting edge software so students can easily follow along while I go through positions and analyze the game.

I have gone from weak chess player to experience tournament player by studying with chess Grandmasters in Vietnam for over 5 years so I understand the problems that the average chess player has in improving at the game and what holds you back from getting the kind of results you want.

Previews course content highlighting the general importance of being well versed in various chess openings. We look at what openings we will cover specifically in the course as well as what our objectives are for the class.

In this lesson we explore the ever popular Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defense. Used as a favorite weapon of such players as Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, this is an aggressive response to 1. e4

Conclusion of the Sicilian Dragon opening for black looking at the most important lines in the position.

Sicilian Defense for Black: Critical Defensive Move

09:30

This lesson explores the critical moves in the Sicilian Defense for white and how to take advantage of inaccuracies by your opponent.

Sicilian Defense for White: The English Attack

14:20

+–

The Ruy Lopez

3 Lectures
32:46

In this lesson we cover the Spanish Opening, also known as the Ruy Lopez after the Grandmaster that made it famous. One of the oldest openings in chess it is still played at the highest levels due to it's basis in solid chess fundamentals.

Ruy Lopez (aka Spanish Game) for White: A Strategic Opening

13:16

Continuation of the Spanish game opening. We look at key moves and ideas that are all but guaranteed to give you a superior position as white.

Ruy Lopez (aka Spanish Game) For White: A Knight Walk

06:29

A look at the critical lines in this ever important opening for black. e5 as a response to e4 is a solid choice and should be part of every chess player's repertoire.

Ruy Lopez (aka Spanish Game) for Black: Queenside Expansion

13:01

+–

The Evan's Gambit

2 Lectures
17:19

In this lesson we learn one of the most aggressive openings in chess and one of the only gambits that is still played at the higher levels of the game. Used by world champions such as Bobby Fischer and Viswanathan Anand as a surprise weapon, most players will be inadequately prepared for this opening.

Evan's Gambit: Pawn Sacrifice

10:15

A continuation of the Evans Gambit for white, we see the dangers for black if they choose to accept the proffered pawns.

Evans Gambit: Building an Attack

07:04

+–

The King's Indian Defense

5 Lectures
58:58

The King's Indian Defense is another aggressive counter attacking opening for black. This defense is used as a response to 1. d4 and steers the game toward complicated and dynamic positions. The player with solid knowledge of the King's Indian Defense is guaranteed to win many exciting battles with the black pieces.

King's Indian Defense for Black: The Fianchettoed Bishop

11:39

A continuation of the key ideas in the King's Indian Defense with the black pieces. The word of the day is ATTACK.

King's Indian Defense for Black: Kingside Attack

13:29

A conclusion of our in depth look at how to play this important opening, we see clearly the danger for white with out very accurate play.

King's Indian Defense for Black: Prophylaxis

11:49

In this lesson we look at the goals of white when faced with the King's Indian Defense and how we can achieve our desired position.

King's Indian Defense for White: Queenside Expansion

11:19

We conclude our look at the proper approach to the King's Indian Defense as white with special attention paid to the open c file and queenside expansion.

King's Indian Defense for White: The Critical C File

10:42

+–

The French Defense

4 Lectures
39:49

The French Defense is another very old and popular opening. Considered to be super solid for black as a response to 1. e4, this opening is still played at the highest levels on a regular basis.

French Defense for Black: Pressure on d4

08:14

Concluding our look at the French Defense for black, we see the desired position and some important considerations when using this opening.

French Defense for Black: Solid Pawn Chain

11:22

White needs to be well versed in many variations of the French Defense in order to choose accurate moves after the choice is made by black to play 1...e6. One or two inaccuracies may lead to a large advantage for black out of the opening.

French Defense for White: Optimal Setup

14:09

Concludes our look at the French Defense for white. We learn the importance of mastering a chosen line to fight back against this solid opening for black no matter what variation they choose to play.

French Defense for White: Kingside Advance

06:04

+–

The Ponziani

2 Lectures
13:22

The Ponziani is a great surprise weapon that most opponents will not be adequately prepared for. Learn this opening and be ready to win many games early on with devastating attacks on the opponent's king.

Ponziani Opening for White: Surprise Weapon

08:23

In this lesson we look at the critical move that must be played in the opening for black in order to not be blown off the board in short order.

Ponziani Opening for Black: Best Response

04:59

+–

The King's Indian Attack

2 Lectures
20:49

The King's Indian Attack is an older opening that has fallen out of favor among the elite players of today. This has led to fewer players using it as a weapon at the lower levels which we can use to our advantage as it gives us yet another surprise opening to use on our unsuspecting opponents. Easy to play with a clear objective, the King's Indian Attack is another great tool to have in your opening tool belt.

King's Indian Attack: Forgotten Opening

15:13

Conclusion of our exploration of the King's Indian Attack with the white pieces looking to surprise our opponent with this forgotten weapon.

King's Indian Attack: Attack the King!

05:36

+–

Course Summary

1 Lecture
03:57

Reviews what was learned in the course and covers some general key ideas that we should always keep in mind as we seek to improve our chess.

My courses are designed based on my many years as a teacher and student of education and business. I hold a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and have been designing curricula for over a decade.

The business, language, and chess courses that I have built on Udemy are a reflection of this experience and dedication to education. My goal is to reach as many people as possible with my courses, which is why I have chosen the internet and the Udemy platform as my ideal mode of delivery.

The following is a little more about my expertise and background. I was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho. I attended the University of Idaho where I earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2004. After a few years in the work force as an account manager I moved to Vietnam where I lived for over 5 years.

While in Vietnam I taught English as a second language for almost 2 years to students of all ages and backgrounds. For the 3 final years that I lived there I opened and ran a sports training company called Saigon Sports Academy. We coached sports such as soccer, chess, tennis, and basketball as well as ran large sporting events such as tournaments and leagues. My positions while at the company included Director of Strategic Initiatives as well as Director of the Chess Program.

While living in Vietnam I became fluent in the Vietnamese language and developed a deep love for teaching and traveling internationally. I then came back in the United States to work on a masters degree in education so that I would be an even more effective teacher in the future. It is my wish to be a positive force for education in the world, and to inspire my current and future students to be the best that they can be in whatever they do.